'Wicked' star Idina Menzel sets date for Broadway return

Since her Tony Award-winning turn as Elphaba in the blockbuster musical "Wicked," Idina Menzel has spent most of her time away from Broadway. The actress has guest-starred on "Glee," played a supporting role in the movie "Enchanted" and appeared live in recitals, concerts and on a national tour.

Menzel is set to return to Broadway for the first time since hitting it big in "Wicked." Producers announced this week that she will open in the new musical "If/Then" on March 27 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York, with preview performances to begin March 4.

"If/Then," from the creative team behind "Next to Normal," has been described as a character study of a woman turning 40 who returns to New York looking for a new start in life. The musical is being written by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, who shared the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama for "Next to Normal."

Michael Greif, who directed "Rent" and "Next to Normal," will stage the new musical. Before Broadway, "If/Then" will premiere in Washington at the National Theatre, with performances running Nov. 5 to Dec. 8.

Last December, Menzel appeared at Walt Disney Concert Hall for the Los Angeles Philharmonic's annual New Year's Eve concert.